2.1[1] Enter Shaparoon and Mopas.
Shaparoon
And as I said—nay pray, my friend, be covered—the business hath been soundly followed on my part. Yet again, in good sooth, I cannot abide you should stand bare before me to so little purpose.
Mopas
Manners is a jewel, madam, and as for standing bare, I know there is some difference—[2]the putting down of a man’s cap and the putting down of his breeches before a reverend gentlewoman.
Shaparoon
You speak very properly, there is a great deal of difference indeed. But to come to the point—fie, what a stir I had to make her to receive the letter and, when she had received it, to open it and then to read it, nay, to read it again and again—that as I am a very woman, a man might have wrung my smock dripping wet[3] with the purse-sweat[4] that came from my body. Friend, I took such pains with her—on[5] my conscience, to bear a child at these[6] years would not trouble me half so much as the delivery of that letter did.
Mopas
A man-child of my age perhaps, madam, would not.[7]
Shaparoon
Yet that were a sore burden for one that is not used to’t, I may tell you. O these coy girls are such wild cattle to have dealing with.
Mopas
What ancient madams cannot do one way, let them do another; she’s a rank jade that, being past the breeder, cannot kick up her heels, wince,[8] and cry wee-hee. Good examples cannot choose from one’s elders, but work much to the purpose, being well plied[9] and in season.
Shaparoon
In season? True, that’s a chief thing. Yes, I’ll assure you, my friend, I am but entering into eight-and-twenty.
Mopas
Wants somewhat of that too, I take it—I warrant ye your mark[10] appears yet to be seen for proof of your age, as plain as when you were but fifteen.
Shaparoon
Truly, if it were well searched, I think it does. Your name is Mopas, you told me?
Mopas
Mopas my name is; and yours Madam Shaparoon, I was told.
Shaparoon
A right madam born, I can assure ye.
Mopas
Your ancestors will speak that, for the Shaparoons have ever took place of the best French-hoods in the parish;[11] ever since the first addition.
Shaparoon
All this, with a great deal of modesty, I must confess. Ud’s pittikins,[12] stand by, aside a little—see where the lady comes. Do not appear before you are called in any case, but mark how I will work her like wax.
Enter Salassa reading a letter.
Salassa
“… Your servant in all commands, Velasco.” So, and I am resolved to put ye to the test, servant, for your free fool’s heart ere I give you the slip, I warrant ye.
Shaparoon
Your ladyship hath considered the premisses ere this time at full, I hope.
Salassa
O, Shaparoon, you keep true sentinel. What? I must give certain answer, must I not?
Shaparoon
Nay, madam, you may choose, ’tis all in your ladyship’s discreet consideration. The sum of all is that if you show him not some favour, he is no long-lived man.[13]
Salassa
Very well. How long have you been a factress[14] for such merchants, Shaparoon?
Shaparoon
O my religion! I a factress? I am even well enough served for my good will, and this is my requital?[15] Factress, quoth you?
Salassa
Come, your intercession shall prevail. Which is his letter-carrier?
Mopas
At your ladyship’s service.
Salassa
Your lord Velasco sent you?
Mopas
Most true, sweet madam.
Salassa
What place hold you about him?
Mopas
I am his drugster, madam.
Salassa
What, sir?
Mopas
Being hard-bound with melancholy, I give him a purge—with two or three soluble[16] stools of laughter.
Salassa
Belike you are his fool or his jester.
Mopas
‘Jester’ if you please, but not ‘fool’, madam; for baubles belong to fools, and they are then only fit for ladies’ secrecies, not for lords’.
Salassa
But is he indeed sick of late?
Shaparoon
Alas, good heart, I suffer for him.
Enter Lodovico.
Lodovico
By your leave, lady, without ceremony, you know me, and may guess my errand.
Salassa
Yet more trouble? Nay, then I shall be hail-shot.[17]
Lodovico
To be brief. By the honours of a good name, you are a dry-skinned widow, and did not my haste concern the life of the noblest gentleman in Europe, I would as much scorn employments of this nature to you, as I do a proud woman of your condition.
Mopas
Aye, marry, here’s one will thunder her widowhead[18] into flitters—stand to’t, signor, I am your second.
Salassa
Sir, y’are uncivil to exclaim against a lady in her own house.
Lodovico
A lady, yet a paraquito, popinjay[19]—your whole worth lies in your gay outside and your squalling[20] tongue. A wagtail is a glorious fowl in respect of many of ye; though most of ye are in nature as very foul as wagtails.[21]
Salassa
Are such as you the lord Velasco’s agents in his hot affection?
Shaparoon
Sweet cousin Lodovico, pray now, the lady is most virtuously resolved.
Mopas
Hark ye, middle-aged countess,[22] do not take another’s tale into your mouth.[23] I have occasion to use you in private, and can find you work enough myself; a word in your ear. [Draws Shaparoon aside.]
Salassa
I protest, I meant more noble answer for his satisfaction than ever your railing language shall force from me.
Lodovico
Were I the man that doted on you, I would take a shorter course with you than to come humbly whining to your sweet—pox of all such ridiculous foppery—I would—
Salassa
Weep yourself to death, and be chronicled among the regiment of kind, tender-hearted souls?
Lodovico
Indeed, forsooth, I would not. What? For a widow? One that hath jumped the old mule’s trot[24] so oft that the sciatica founders her yet in both her thighs?
Salassa
You abuse me grossly.
Lodovico
One that hath been so often drunk with satiety of pleasure, that fourteen husbands are but as half a draught to quench her thirst in an afternoon.
Salassa
I will no longer endure ye.
Lodovico
For you! You? That are neither noble, wise, rich, fair, nor well-favoured. For you?
Mopas [to Shaparoon]
You are all these, if you can keep your own counsel and let nobody know, mistress madam.
Shaparoon
Nay, I am so persuaded, and assure yourself nobody shall know.
Lodovico
Yet, forsooth, must you be the only precious piece the lord Velasco must adore, must die for. But I vow, if he do miscarry—as I fear he cannot recover—
Salassa
Goodness forbid! Alas—is he sick, sir?
Lodovico
Excellent dissimulation! Yes sure, he is sick, and an everlasting silence strike you dumb that are the cause on’t. But, as I said, if he do go the wrong way, as I love virtue, your ladyship shall be balladed[25] through all Christendom and sung to scurvy tunes,[26] and your picture drawn over every ballad, sucking of rotten eggs among weasels.
Salassa
Pray, give me leave! Is lord Velasco sick? And lies there aught in me to comfort or recover him?
Lodovico
Marry, does there? The more infidel he. And what of all this now?
Salassa
What would you have me do?
Lodovico
Wonders[27]—either go and visit him, or admit him to visit you—these are mighty favours, are they not?
Salassa
Why, good sir, I will grant the latter willingly; he shall be kindly welcome.
Lodovico
And laughed at while he is here, shall he not?
Salassa
What would you have me say? My best entertainment shall be open to him, I will discourse to him freely. If he requires it privately, I will be all what in honour I should.
Lodovico
Certify him so much by letter.
Salassa
That cannot stand with my modesty. My word and truth shall be my gage.
Lodovico
Enough. Do this, and by this hand I’ll ask you pardon for my rudeness, and ever heartily honour you.[28]
Mopas [to Shaparoon]
I shall hear from you when my leisure serves?[29]
Shaparoon
Most assuredly. Good destinies speed your journey.
Mopas
All happiness ride ever before you, your disgraces behind you, and[30] full pleasure in the midst of ye. Exeunt.
_______________________
[2.2] Enter Bufo in fresh apparel, ushering[31] Herophil.
Herophil
My over-kind captain, what would you say?
Bufo
Why, mistress, I would say, as a man might say, forsooth, indeed I would say.
Herophil
What, captain?
Bufo
Even whatsoever you would have me to say, forsooth.
Herophil
If that be all, pray say nothing.
Bufo
Why look ye, mistress, all what I say, if you mark it well, is just nothing—as, for example, to tell you that you are fair, is nothing, for you know it yourself; to say you were honest, were an indignity to your beauty and, upon the matter, nothing, for honesty in a fair woman is as good as nothing.
Herophil
That is somewhat strange to be proved.
Bufo
To a good wit, dear mistress, nothing’s impossible.
Herophil
Sure the court and your new clothes have infected you. Would I were a purse of gold, for your sake, captain, to reward your wit.
Bufo
I would you were, mistress, so you were not counterfeit metal, I should soon try you on the too-true touchstone of my affections, indeed, forsooth.
Herophil
Well, witty captain, for your love I must pass away in debt, but will not fail to think on’t. But now I am in haste.
Bufo
If you would but grant me but one poor request before you go, I should soon dispatch and part.
Herophil
Name it, captain.
Bufo
Truly, and as I live, ’tis a very small trifle for your part, all things considered.
Herophil
But cannot you tell what it is?
Bufo
That were a fine jest indeed, why, I would desire, entreat, and beseech you.
Herophil
What to do?
Bufo
There you have it, and thank you too.[32]
Herophil
I understand you not.
Bufo
Why, to do with you, forsooth, to do with you.
Herophil
To do what?
Bufo
In plain words, I would commit with you, or as the more learned phrase it, if you be pleased to consent, I would ravish you.
Herophil
Fie, fie, captain, so uncivil—you made me blush.
Bufo
Do, I say. Why, I am glad I have it for you.[33] Soldiers are hot upon service, mistress, and a wise man’s bolt is soon shot, as the proverb says.
Herophil
Good captain, keep up your bolt till I am at leisure to stand fair for your mark. If the court stallions prove all so rank, I will vow all to ride henceforth upon an ass. So, captain, I must leave you.
Exit Herophil.
Bufo
Farewell heartily to you, forsooth. Go thy ways for as true a mistress as ever fouled clean napery.[34] This same whoreson court diet, cost, lodging, change of clothes, and ease, have addicted me villainously to the itch of concupiscence.
Enter Alphonso; Pynto and Muretto complementing on either side of him.
Alphonso
They all shall not entreat me.
Muretto
Your majesty were no King, if your own will were not your own law.
Pynto
Always, my lord, observing the domination of the planets as, if Mars and Venus being in conjunction, and their influence working upon your frailty, then in any case you must not resist the motion of the celestial bodies.
Muretto
All which, most gracious sovereign, this most famous scholar will at a minute foretell.
Bufo
All hail to the King himself, my very good liege, lord, and most gracious benefactor.
Alphonso
What need I other counsellors than these?
Shall I be forced to be a woman’s slave,
That may live free and hate their fickle sex?
Muretto
O, ’tis a glorious virtue in so magnificent a prince to abstain from the sensual surfeits of fleshly and wanton appetites.
Alphonso
I find the inclination of such follies—[35]
Why, what are women?
Bufo
Very pleasant, pretty, necessary toys, an’t please your majesty. I myself could pass the time with them, as occasion might[36] serve, eight-and-forty hours outright, one to one always provided.
Pynto
Yet of all the seven planets, there are but two women among them, and one of them two is chaste,[37] which is as good as if she were a boy.
Muretto
That is not to be questioned. The best of women are but troubles and vexations; ’tis man that retains all true perfection, and of all men, your majesty.
Enter Almado[38] and Collumello.
Alphonso
Ye are too rude to enter on our privacies
Without our licence. Speak your business, lords.[39]
Almado
We came from your most virtuous Queen.
Alphonso
No more.
Collumello
A month is well-nigh past, and yet you slack
Your love to her. What mean you, sir, so strangely
To slight a wife whose griefs grow now too high
For womanhood to suffer?
Almado
Is’t your pleasure
To admit her to your bosom?
Alphonso
Y’are too saucy.
Return, and quickly too, and tell her thus—
If she intend to keep her in our favour,
Let us not see her.
Collumello
Say you so, great sir?
You speak it but for trial.
[Alphonso and his men]
Ha, ha, ha.[40]
Collumello
O, sir, remember what you are, and let not
The insinuations of these servile creatures,
Made only men by you,[41] soothe and traduce
Your safety to a known and wilful danger.
Fix in your thoughts the ruin you have ’scaped;
Who freed you, who hath raised you to this height;
And you will then awake your judgment’s eye.
The commons murmur, and the streets are filled
With busy whispers—yet in time recall
Your violence.
Alphonso
As I am King, the tongue
Forfeits his head that speaks another word!
Muretto, talk we not now like a King?
Muretto
Like one that hath the whole world for his proper
Monarchy, and it becomes you royally.[42]
Enter Queen, Petruchi, and Herophil.
Bufo
The Queen, and my mistress. O brave, we shall have some doings hard to hand now, I hope.
Alphonso
What means the woman? Ha! Is this the duty
Of a good wife? We sent not for you, did we?
Queen
The more my duty that I came unsent for.
Wherein, my gracious lord, have I offended?
Wherein have I transgressed against thy laws,
O sacred marriage, to be sequestered
In the first spring and April of my joys
From you, much dearer to me than my life?
By all the honour of a spotless bed,
Show me my fault and I will turn away
And be my own swift executioner.
Alphonso
I take[43] that word. Know then you married me
Against my will, and that’s your fault.
Queen
Alas![44]
Against your will? I dare not contradict
What you are pleased to urge. But by the love
I bear the King of Aragon—an oath
As great as I can swear by—I conceived
Your words to be true speakers of your heart,
And I am sure they were—you swore they were.
How should I but believe, that loved so dearly?
Alphonso
Come, then you are a trifler, for by this
I know you love me not.
Queen
Is that your fear?
Why la[45] now, lords, I told you that the King
Made our division but a proof of faith.
Kind husband, now I’m bold to call you so,
Was this your cunning to be jealous of me
So soon? We women are fine fools to search
Men’s pretty subtleties.[46]
Muretto Aside[47]
You’ll scarce find it so.
Alphonso [Aside]
She would persuade me strangely.
Queen
Prithee, sweetheart,
Force not thyself to look so sadly; troth
It suits not with thy love, ’tis well. Was this
Your se’nnight’s respite? Yet, as I am a Queen,
I feared you had been in earnest.
Alphonso
Earnest? Hence
Monstrous enchantress; by the death I owe
To nature, thou appear’st to me in this
More impudent than impudence. The tide
Of thy luxurious blood is at the full;
And ’cause thy raging pleurisy[48] of lust
Cannot be sated by our royal warmth,
Thou try’st all cunning petulant charms to raise
A wanton devil up in our chaste breast.
But we are cannon-proof against the shot
Of all thy arts.
Queen
Was’t you spoke that, my lord?
Pynto
Phaeton is just over the orb of the moon, his horses are got loose, and the heavens begin to grow into a combustion.
Alphonso
I’ll sooner dig a dungeon in a mole-hill,
And hide my crown there, that both fools and children
May trample o’er my royalty, than ever
Lay it beneath an antic woman’s feet.
Couldst thou trans-shape thyself into a man,
And with it be more excellent than man
Can be, yet, since thou wert a woman once,
I would renounce thee.
Petruchi
Let the King remember
It is the Queen he speaks to.
Alphonso
Pish! I know
She would be well contented but to live
Within my presence; not for love to me,
But that she might with safety of her honour
Mix with some hot-veined lecher, whose prone[49] lust
Should feed the rank impostume[50] of desires,
And get a race of bastards, to whose birth
I should be thought the dad. But thou, thou woman,
Ere I will be the cloak to thy false play,
I’ll couple with a witch, a hag—for if
Thou canst live chaste, live by thyself[51] like me.
Or, if thou wouldst persuade me that thou lov’st me,
See me no more, never. From this time forth
I hate thy sex. Of all thy sex, thee worst.
Exit Alphonso, Bufo [and] Pynto.
Almado
Madam, dear madam, yet take comfort: time
Will work all for the best.[52]
Queen
Where must I go?
Collumello
Y’are in your own kingdom, ’tis your birthright,
We all your subjects. Not a man of us
But to the utmost of his life will right
Your wrongs against this most unthankful King.
Queen
Away, ye are all traitors to profane
His sacred merits with your bitter terms.
Why, am I not his wife? A wife must bear
Withal what likes her lord t’upbraid her with,
And yet ’tis no injustice. What was’t he said?
That I no more should see him, never, never?
There I am quite divorced from all my joys,
From all my paradise of life. Not see him?
’Twas too unkind a task. But he commanded,
I cannot but obey. Where’s Herophil?
Herophil
Here, madam.
Queen
Go hang my chamber all with mourning black.
Seal up my windows, let no light survey
The subtle tapers that must eye my griefs.
Get from me, lords, I will defy ye all,
Y’are men, and men, O me, are all unkind.
Come hither, Herophil, spread all my robes,
My jewels and apparel on the floor,
And for a crown get me a willow wreath.[53]
No, no, that’s not my colour, buy me a veil
Ingrained in tawny. Alas, I am forsaken,
And none can pity me.
Petruchi
By all the faith
I owe to you, my sovereign, if you please
To enjoy[54] me any service, I will prove
Most ready and most true.
Queen
Why should the King
Despise me? I did never cross his will,
Never gainsaid his “yea”[55]—yet sure I fear
He hath some ground for his displeasure.
Herophil
None,
Unless because you saved him from the block.
Queen
Art thou a prattler too? Peace, Herophil,
Tempt not a desperate woman. No man here
Dares do my last commands to him?
Muretto
If your excellent majesty please to repose confidence in me, I will not only deliver him your commendations, but think myself highly dishonoured if he return not his[56] back to you by letter.[57]
Petruchi
Off, beast, made all of baseness; do not grieve
Calamity or, as I am a knight,[58]
I’ll cut thy tongue out.
Muretto
Sweet signor, I protest—[59] Exit Muretto.
Petruchi
Madam, believe him not, he is a parasite;
Yet one the King doth dote on.
Queen
Then beshrew ye,
You had not used him gently.[60] Had I known’t,
I would have kneeled before him and have sent
A handful of my tears unto the King.
Away, my lords, here is no place to revel
In our discomforts.[61] Herophil, let’s haste,
That thou and I may heartily like widows
Bewail my bridal-mocked virginity.
[Exit Queen and Herophil]
Collumello
Let’s follow her, my lords; I fear too late
The King will yet repent these rude divisions.
Exeunt.
_______________________
[2.3] Enter Velasco, Lodovico [and] Mopas.
Lodovico
Compliment?[62] ’Tis for barbers’ shops. Know your own worth. You speak to a frail commodity, and bartered away roundly, my lord.[63]
Velasco
She promised free discourse?
Lodovico
She did. Are ye answered?
Enter Salassa [and] Shaparoon.
Shaparoon
Madam, my lord Velasco is come; use him nobly and kindly or—I say no more.
Salassa
To a poor widow’s house, my lord is welcome.
Your lordship honours me in this favour;
In what thankful entertainment I can,
I shall strive to deserve it.[64]
Shaparoon
Your sweet lordship is most heartily welcome, as I may say.
Mopas
Instead of a letter, Madam Goodface,[65] on my lord’s behalf, I am bold to salute you.
Lodovico
Madam Salassa, not distrusting the liberty you granted, now you and my lord are in your[66] own house, we will attend ye in the next room. Away, cousin; follow, sirrah.
Shaparoon
It is a woman’s[67] part to come behind.
Mopas
But for two men to pass in before one woman, ’tis too much a conscience on reverend antiquity.[68]
Exit Lodovico, Shaparoon [and] Mopas.
Salassa
What is your lordship’s pleasure?
Velasco
To rip up
A story of my fate[69]—when by the Queen
I was employed against the late commotioners,
Of whom the now-King was chief leader, then
In my return you pleased to entertain me
Here in your house.
Salassa
Much good may it do your lordship.
Velasco
But then, what conquest gained I by that conquest,
When here mine eyes and your commanding beauty
Made me a prisoner to the truest love
That ever warmed a heart?
Salassa
Who might that be?
Velasco
You, lady, are the deity I adore,
Have kneeled to in my heart, have vowed my soul to,
In such a debt of service, that my life
Is tenant to your pleasure.
Salassa
Pah, my lord;
It is not nobly done to mock me thus.
Velasco
Mock you? Most fair Salassa, if e’er truth
Dwelt in a tongue, my words and thoughts are twins.
Salassa
You wrong your honour in so mean a choice.
Can it be thought[70] that that brave man Velasco,[71]
Sole champion of the world, should look on me?
On me, a poor, lone widow? ’Tis impossible.
Velasco
I am poorer[72]
In my performance now than ever; so poor
That vows and protestations want fit credit
With me to vow the least part of a service
That might deserve your favour.
Salassa
You are serious?
Velasco
Lady, I wish that for a present trial,
Against the custom of so sweet a nature,
You would be somewhat cruel in commands.
You dare not sift the honour of my faith[73]
By any strange injunction, which the speed
Of my glad undertaking should not cheerfully
Attempt, or perish in the sufferance of it.
Salassa
You promise lordly.
Velasco
You too much distrust
The constancy of truth.
Salassa
It were unnoble[74]
On your part to demand a gift of bounty
More than the freedom of a fair allowance—
Confirmed by modesty and reason’s warrant—
Might without blushing yield unto.
Velasco
O, fear not,
For my affections aim at chaste contents,
Not at unruly passions of desire.
I only claim the title of your servant;
The flight of my ambitions soars no higher
Than living in your grace. And for encouragement,
To quicken my attendance now and then,
A kind, unravished kiss.
Salassa
That’s but a fee
Due to a fair deserver. But admit
I grant it, and you have it, may I then
Lay a light burden on you?
Velasco
What is possible
For me to venture on, by how much more
It carries danger in’t, by so much more
My glory’s in the achievement.
Salassa
I must trust ye.
Velasco
By all the virtues of a soldier’s name,
I vow and swear.
Salassa
Enough, I take that oath,
And thus myself first do confirm your warrant.
Velasco
I feel new life within me.
Salassa
Now be steward
For your own store, my lord, and take possession
Of what you have purchased freely.
Velasco
With a joy
As willing as my wishes can arrive at. Kisses her.
Salassa
So, I may claim your oath now?
Velasco
I attend it.
Salassa
Velasco, I do love thee, and am jealous
Of thy spirit, which is hourly apt
To catch at actions. If I must be mistress
Of thee and my own will, thou must be subject
To my improvements.
Velasco
’Tis my soul’s delight.
Salassa
Y’are famed the only fighting sir alive;[75]
But what’s this, if you be not safe to me?
Velasco
By all—
Salassa
You shall not swear, take heed of perjury.
So much I fear your safety, that I command,
For two years’ space, you shall not wear a sword,
A dagger or stiletto—shall not fight
On any quarrel, be it ne’er so just.
Velasco
Lady!
Salassa
Hear more yet: if you be baffled,
Railed at, scorned, mocked, struck, bandied,[76] kicked—
Velasco
O, lady!
Salassa
—Spit on, reviled, challenged, provoked by fools,
Boys, antics, cowards—
Velasco
’Tis intolerable!
Salassa
I charge you, by your oath, not to reply
In word, deed, look. And lastly, I conjure ye
Never to show the cause to any living[77]
By circumstance or by equivocation;
Nor, till two years expire, to motion love.
Velasco
Why do you play the tyrant thus?
Salassa
’Tis common
T’observe how love hath made a coward valiant;
But that a man as daring as Velasco
Should, to express his duty to a mistress,
Kneel to his own disgraces and turn coward
Belongs to me and to my glories only—
I’m empress of this miracle. Your oath
Is passed: if you will lose yourself[78] you may.
How d’ye,[79] sir?
Velasco
Woman, thou art vain and cruel.
Salassa
Wilt please your lordship taste a cup of wine,
Or stay and sup, and take a hard bed here?
Your friends think we have done strange things this while.
Come, let us walk like lovers. I am pitiful,[80]
I love no quarrels.
Velasco
Triumph in my ruins.
There is no act of folly but is common
In use and practice to a scornful woman.
Exeunt.
[1] ‘Act II.’ in Q.
[2] This interpolated dash (a comma in Q) covers the apparent ellipsis where ‘in’ has to be understood.
[3] wrung / dripping, ‘wrong’ and ‘dropping’ in Q. The OED records ‘wrong’ as a common variant and gives ‘drop’ as a separate verb, equivalent to ‘drip’ (‘drop’ v. 2a). The emendations are modernizations, therefore rather than corrections.
[4] purse-sweat, ‘purse sweat’ in Q. The adjective ‘pursy’ means ‘fat’ / ‘corpulent’ (OED 2) or ‘short of breath’ (OED 1); cf Hamlet 3.4.155. The OED has no record of ‘purse’ in this adjectival sense, but emendation to ‘pursy sweat’ (ie: ‘fat sweat’) seems a semantically odd construction. I have decided to retain Q’s ‘purse’ but added a hyphen to form a compound noun: ‘purse-sweat’ = ‘sweat from fat’ just as ‘horse-sweat’ = ‘sweat from a horse’.
[5] on my conscience, ‘oh my conscience’ in Q. Q’s reading seems corrupt; either ‘on’ or ‘o’’ were conjectured by Bang.
[6] these, ‘those’ in Q. That Shaparoon is referring to herself is confirmed by Mopas’ reply.
[7] ie: “would not trouble you.”
[8] wince = “To kick restlessly from impatience or pain,” (OED v1. 1). Since the verb follows “kick up her heels,” this seems rather tautological. There appears to be no OED precedent for ‘wince’ as a variant of ‘whinny’, which would, in any case, set up a tautological clash with “wee-hee.”
[9] plied = applied, (OED v2 ‘ply’).
[10] mark, continuing the equine allusions, ‘mark’ (OED III. 1c) = “A depression caused by a fold in the enamel of a horse’s incisor tooth, which gives some indication of the age of the animal,”; also II. 3 = “a target, butt or other object set up to be aimed at.” (In this context the target is Shaparoon’s ‘secrecies’, cf: l. 65 below). The comparison to her ‘mark’ at fifteen suggests, perhaps, an allusion to her loss of virginity, her mark being her hymen.
[11] the Shaparoons …. The primary OED definition of ‘chaperon’ (‘shaparoon’ is given as a variant) is ‘a hood or cap’. Its earliest usage as an escort for an unmarried woman is 1720. Cotgrave’s Dictionarie of the French and English Tongues (1611) has “Chaperon, a hood, or French hood (for a woman); also any hood, bonnet, or lettice cap.” Given the pervasive sexual innuendo in the current exchange, however, there may be a glance at ‘syphilis’ (‘French crowns’ is a recognized reference). Also, OED records a possible 1568 reference to ‘French-hood’ as “[a] head-dress worn by women when punished for unchastity,” (‘French hood’ b).
[12] Ud’s pittikins, mangling and diminution of ‘God’s Pity’.
[13] long-lived, ‘long lives’ in Q. The sense is, presumably, ‘he will not live much longer’.
[14] factress = agent, broker; suggestion of ‘procuress’.
[15] requital = reward.
[16] soluble, primary OED definition = “Free from constipation or costiveness; relaxed.”
[17] hail-shot, “Small shot which scatters like hail when fired,” (OED 1).
[18] widowhead, ‘widow-head’ in Q, a play on ‘maidenhead’.
[19] paraquito, popinjay, ‘paraquitto’ in Q = parakeet; ‘popingjay’ in Q = parrot; by extension, a chatterer. Interestingly, both are used in Henry IV pt 1 in Hotspur contexts: 2.3.88 and 1.3.49 respectively.
[20] squalling, ‘squall’ in verbal sense, “Of birds and animals: To scream loudly or discordantly,” OED. The earliest citation given is c. 1631, which makes its use in an avian context here very early.
[21] ‘as fowl as wagtayles’ in Q; ‘wagtail’ in the previous sentence. A pun is present in both ‘fowl’ and ‘wagtayles’.
[22] countess, quite possibly an obscene pun on ‘cunt’ here.
[23] ie: “Let them argue between themselves,” plus Mopas’ characteristically obscene quibble.
[24] mule’s, ‘moile’s’ in Q. OED (n1 2b) defines ‘mule’ as “a promiscuous woman” and cites a reference in John Ford’s Fancies I. 8 (1638): “Trudging betweene an old moyle, and a young Calfe, my nimble intelligencer.” ‘The old mule’s trot’ = sexual intercourse. Cf: 1.1.97 and note for a different usage of ‘mule’ / ‘moile’.
[25] balladed, ‘balleted’ in Q.
[26] scurvy, ‘sciroy’ in Q, presumably a ‘foul-case’ error for ‘scirvy’, a recognized variant of ‘scurvy’.
[27] Wonders, the word is preceded by an apostrophe in Q (’Wonders) which might imply an ejaculation of exasperation, the apostrophe implying ‘God’s wonders’—possibly an extreme mangling of ‘God’s wounds’. However, since I can find no precedent for such a construction, I have removed the apostrophe, the word now suggesting sarcasm rather than exasperation (although I feel a stronger outburst better suits Lodovico’s manner to Salassa in this scene).
[28] It is tempting here to supply an exit for Lodovico and Salassa but it can be assumed that they will retire upstage to enact their farewells while Mopas and Shaparoon come forward to confirm their agreement.
[29] ‘my leasures serves’ in Q (C1v). I have made ‘leisure’ singular. Note 2.2.40 where Q also spells ‘leasure’.
[30] and, ‘and and’ in Q. Mopas’ patter is too smooth for a hesitant repetition here.
[31] ushering = escorting ceremonially.
[32] Bufo has construed her reply as “What? To do?” with ‘do’ standing for the sex act, as becomes clear.
[33] ie: ‘Do blush—I am glad I have the capacity to bring it forth,’ (with a glance at post-coital flush?). Blushing, perhaps, informs Bufo’s next comment about soldiers being hot upon service.
[34] napery, ‘napary’ in Q. OED gives ‘napery’ as ‘household linen’ (although the context here suggests more specifically ‘under-linen’?).
[35] This line ends on a full stop in Q, its meaning thus punctuated escapes me. Having Alphonso break off in mid-sentence suggests that he finds ‘the inclination of such follies’ too troubling to consider.
[36] might, ‘migh’ in Q.
[37] Seven planets = Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, the Sun and Moon. The two women are Venus and Diana (the moon), Diana, a type of virginity, being the one ‘chaste’.
[38] ‘Almada’ in Q; cf: 1.1.188 & Note.
[39] Set as verse in Q although ‘without’ is not capitalized. A page break comes between the two lines (C2r–C2v) which might account for this, although the catchword ‘with’ on C2r is also lower case. The first line scans if “Ye are” is elided.
[40] Alphonso and his men, SP ‘All’ in Q. This would not, presumably, include Almado; the laughter would appear to mock Collumello’s interpretation of Alphonso’s rejection of the Queen. “Ha, ha, ha” is probably extra-metrical; two iambic feet are required to complete Collumello’s line, but I have tentatively lineated the laughter as if it were part of the verse.
[41] men, here = people “of position, importance, or note,” OED II 4.
[42] These two lines set as prose in Q, as is usual for Muretto, but they can be scanned and verse seems appropriate to Muretto’s public response to Alphonso’s metrical question. Contrast the following speech of Bufo’s, which could also be approximately scanned into two lines of verse, but seems inappropriate being more of a private aside.
[43] take = ‘accept’; see also 2.3.74 for similar usage.
[44] ‘Alas!’ is part of the following line in Q. The reordering here supplies the foot missing from Alphonso’s last line and makes the Queen’s response perfectly metrical.
[45] la, an exclamation introducing an emphatic statement, OED.
[46] Q’s lineation = “So soon? We women are fine fools/To search mens pretty subtilties.” Emendation improves the metre in these and the following lines, although they are still rather ragged.
[47] Aside, this direction given in Q, the following one for Alphonso is not.
[48] pleurisy = excess, superfluity (Crystal). The phrase ‘pleurisy of lust’ also appears in ’Tis Pity 4.3.18, again in close connection to ‘luxury’: “Must your hot itch and pleurisy of lust, / The heyday of your luxury.”
[49] prone = eager, ready (Crystal).
[50] impostume = “A purulent swelling or cyst … an abscess,” OED 1. Note the cluster of disease imagery here.
[51] thyself, ‘thy sel’ in Q.
[52] Q’s lineation = “Madam, dear Madam, yet/Take comfort, time will work all for the best,” resulting in a 2½ foot first line and a subsequent, unresolved short line by the Queen.
[53] willow wreath, willow was emblematic of grief and unrequited love. Cf the ‘willow cabin’ Twelfth Night 1.5.272.
[54] enjoy, the sense apparently requires ‘enjoin’ (and Bang conjectures ‘enjoyn’) but Lisa Hopkins has drawn my attention to an example of ‘enjoy’ for ‘enjoin’ in Ford’s The Broken Heart (1633): “Penthea: Not to detaine your expectation, Princesse, / I haue an humble suit. Calantha: Speake, I enioy it,” (3. 599).
[55] In Q: “Never gainsaid his, yea;” (C3v) ie: ‘if he said ‘yes’, I never said ‘no’—I never contradicted him.’ The repunctuation is intended to bring this out.
[56] ie: ‘his commendations’.
[57] Muretto’s speech, as here, is set as prose in Q. However, it could be scanned thus: “If your [completing the preceding four-foot line]/Excellent…repose/Confidence…only/Deliver…but/Think… he/Return…letter.” Q normally sets Muretto in prose but occasionally verse seems possible and more appropriate (cf 2.2.97-98). Muretto’s exit line (l. 212) below could also be a completion of Petruchi’s short verse line.
[58] knight ‘knigh’ in Q.
[59] Muretto’s speech is apparently interrupted; is he fleeing a threatening gesture of Petruchi’s? The Queen’s, “you had not used him gently,” (line 215) suggests that this is the case.
[60] Presumably meaning, “you did not use him gently.” Q’s punctuation, with a comma after ‘gently’, increases the confusion.
[61] discomforts, ‘discomfits’ in Q. ‘Discomfit’ tends to denote defeat in a struggle, whereas ‘discomfort’, indicating ‘sorrow’ or ‘distress’ seems more fitting here, though both semantic fields are present.
[62] Compliment?, ‘Complement?’ in Q. We join the conversation in medias res, I take Velasco to have just asked whether Salassa had complimented him during Lodovico’s previous visit (2.1.67 ff).
[63] The meaning seems to be: “No need for compliments (when you woo her); you are of so much more worth that she is yours for the asking.”
[64] Set as prose in Q. It reads like verse, and one would expect a verse greeting from Salassa to Velasco. The speech ends on a short line: this could be resolved by setting Shaparoon’s greeting in verse, but that seems too out of character.
[65] Initial lower case in Q, “Madam good-face”.
[66] your, ‘you’ in Q.
[67] woman’s, ‘woman’ in Q. Bang points to a similar notion of women’s ‘natural’ place in the order of precedence from The Broken Heart: “Instead of following them, they’ll follow vs. / It is a womans nature,” (1.2.184).
[68] Superficially, ‘Ladies first’ but no doubt an obscene quibble is also present. Bang again notes an echo in The Broken Heart: “Virgin of reuerence and antiquity,” (3.328).
[69] To rip up / A story…; Bang notes a similar usage in The Lady’s Trial:
So toucht to the quicke,
Fine mistresse, I will then rip up at length
The progresse of your infancie [read infamy] (2.267)
Cf: discussion of ‘rip’ in Ford in Hopkins’ Political Theatre, p 132.
[70] thought, ‘though’ in Q (C4r). Although Q’s reading seems possible, ‘though’ as an intensifier (here, of ‘be’) is a modern phenomenon (the earliest OED citation is 1905).
[71] Velasco, ‘Valasco’ in Q (C4r).
[72] A seriously short line here. The previous line seems to carry an extra foot (it is just possible that the repetition of “On me” is due to eye-slip but that doesn’t help the short line). I have retained Q’s lineation for want of a reasonable alternative.
[73] ‘Almada’ in Q; cf: 1.1.188 & Note.
[74] unnoble = ‘ignoble’. This variant appears in Antony and Cleopatra, 3.11.50, where modern editors (Arden, Oxford) retain this form. ‘Unnoble’ occurs again at 3.3.43 below.
[75] only = outstanding, peerless, pre-eminent; ‘sir’ = man (Crystal).
[76] bandied, ‘baffl’d’ in Q (C4v). The repetition of ‘baffled’ from the previous line seems unlikely (‘baffle’ = ‘To subject (esp. a perjured knight) to public disgrace or infamy [OED 1, 1660]). I have adopted Bang’s suggestion (‘bandy’ = to strike to and fro); originally a term from tennis and apt, given its context between ‘struck’ and ‘kicked’.
[77] any living = ‘anyone alive’.
[78] lose yourself, ie: if you wish to perjure your soul.
[79] d’ye, ‘d’ee’ in Q; another characteristic Fordism that Bang drew on in his attribution, cf: 1.2.51 and note; (changed silently hereafter).
[80] pitiful = compassionate, tender – OED 2.